Structural unit



Patented Feb. 24, 1931 DEWEY BIINEY, F ALBION, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TQ UNION STEEL PRODUCTS COMPANY, 035 ALBION, MICHIGAN s rnnornnar. UNIT Application filed April 29;

-e main objects of this invention are to de a combined reinforce spacer and suport which is adapted to be made in strips of considerable length and cut into the desired units or sections and one in which the reinforce bars may be engaged with a snap action and at the same time are very securely retained.

A further object is to provide a structural unit having these advantages which may be very economically produced and is very convenient in use.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the descrip tion to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodimen of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of a structural unit embodying the features of my invention, a reinforcing bar being indicated in engagement therewith by dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, the reinforcing bars being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 8 is an end view of my improved structural unit, a reinforcing bar being indicated by dotted lines.

My improved structural unit comprises a longitudinal rod 1 which may be of considerable length and a plurality of combined legs, struts and reinforce bar engaging members which are secured to the rod in spaced relation. These combined legs, struts and reinforce engaging members are formed integrally of wire or light rod, each consisting of a pair of legs 2 which are fixedly secured to the rod as by welding. with their upper ends projecting substantially above the rod. The upper ends of the legs are connected by a down-turned loop 3 constituting a strut and engaging member for the reinforce bar, 4. The arms of the loop are outwardly offin approximately the plane of the set at o longitudinal rod. The arms of the loop converge upwardly above this offset so that when the rod 15 forced downwardly between the 1929. Serial No. 358,785.

arms to rest upon the longitudinal rod, it is retained in position thereby. v

The upper ends of the legs are connected to the arms of the loop by downwardly converging portions 7 providing a flaring throat tor the legs so that the reinforcing bars may be engaged by laying them in these throats and pushing downwardly thereon, the arms of the loops springing open to receive the same and closing to retain them. This engagement may be effected without loosening the connection of the legs to the longitudinal rod.

The rod retaining loops serve as effective braces or struts for keeping the supports in iciaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A structural unit comprising a longitudinal rod and a plurality of pairs of legs fixedly secured to the rod in spaced relation with their upper ends projecting substan tially above the rod, the upper ends of the legs being connected by an integral downturned loop constituting a'strut,'the arms of the loop being outwardly offset in approximately the plane of the longitudinal rod and being converged upwardly from such offsets providing yielding bar engaging members, the upper ends of the legs being connected to the arms of the loop by downwardly converging portions providing a flaring throat for the loop.

2. A structural unit comprising a longitudinal rod and a plurality of pairs of legs fixedly secured to the rod in spaced relation with their upper endsprojecting substantially above the red, the upper ends of the legs being connected by an integral downturned loop constituting a strut, the arms of the loop being outwardly offset in approximately the plane of the longitudinal rod and being converged upwardly from such-offsets providing yielding bar engaging members.

'3. A structural unit comprising a longitudinal supporting rod, and a plurality of pairs of legs fixedly secured -t-o-the rod-in spaced relation with their upper-ends project-ing substantiallyabove the rod and connected by an integral down-turned'loop constituting a strut and a reinforce engaging means. 7

.4. structural unit comprising alongitudinal rod and: a pair of legs fixedly secured -to the rod with their upper.- ends projecting substantially above the -rod,the upper ends eoof the legs being connected by an integral .downturned loop constituting a strut, the arms of the loop having outward oilsetstherein anfd being converged upwardly from such offsets-providing yielningbar engaging memjbers, the iupperends of the legs being connectedito the arms of the-loop by downwardlyrconverging portions providing a flaring throat for the loop. ;-5. A structural unit comprising a longiso-tudinal :rod and =21 pair of legs fixedly secured to the rod :with their upper ends proijecting substantially above the rod, the upper ends ofthe legs being connected by an in- ?tegrztldown-turned loop constituting a strut, the arms of the loop having outward ofi'sets t'herein-and being converged upwardly from v such ofisets providingyielding bar engaging members.

6. A structural unit comprising a longi- 40 tudinal supporting rod, and a pair of legs fixedly secured to the rod with their upper ends projecting substantially above-the rod and connected by an integral down-turned loop constituting a strut and providing an upwardly facing slat-like reinforce engaging means.

In witness whereofI have hereunto set my hand. 7 i

DElVE-Y H. BITNEY. 

